Air Quality Management

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Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major concern to building managers because it can adversely impact the health and productivity of building occupants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency indoor air pollution levels are often higher than levels found outdoors. That’s why air filtration, indoor air quality testing and air quality management or so essential.

Causes of Indoor Air Pollutions

Indoor Air Pollutions can derive from both outdoor and indoor sources, including facilities management activities, exterminators, cleaning supplies, painting, furniture or occupant activities like smoking. Air quality management involves controlling and minimizing occupants exposure to indoor air pollutions from these sources. It can be broken out into three stages:

1. Removing or isolating indoor air pollutions through physical barriers, air pressure relationships, or by adjusting the timing of things like renovations.
2. Diluting indoor air pollutions and removing them from the building through proper ventilation.
3. Using air filtration to clean the air of indoor air pollutions.

Types ...
... of Indoor Air Pollutions

Biological air pollutions can result from cleaning supplies, humidity, and condensation or may even follow occupants into the building. They include:

* Dust mite allergens
* Animal dander
* Pollen
* Bacteria
* Viruses
* Molds

Chemical air pollutions like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can come from a variety of sources including tobacco smoke, emissions from wall and floor coverings and chemicals spills in the building. Particle air pollutions in the form of visible dust are solids or liquids, which are light enough to float in the air. They can enter the building from outside or from indoor activities like dry walling, printing and copying.

Managing Indoor Air Pollutions

There’s a lot you can do to minimize indoor air pollutions in your space. Good ventilation and air filtration are always the best place to start. Putting in place some building wide best practices can also go along way. Here are some other tips on reducing indoor air pollutions to get you started:

* Have a no smoking policy
* Don’t block air vents
* Make sure plants have something under them to catch excess water
* Dispose of garbage right away
* Don’t leave food out
* Tell occupants to contact the facility manager immediately if they suspect indoor air pollutions are present
* Consider you air filtration and HVAC system when placing furniture
* Renovate and paint during low occupancy periods

Indoor Air Quality Testing

Indoor air quality testing can begin with a simple interview of occupants. They are often the best source for determining the presence of indoor air pollutions. Keep a detailed record of any complaints and concerns. Initial indoor air quality testing also involves a walk through of the building and visual inspection of your air filtration and HVAC systems to see if there are any obvious easy fixes like leaky ducts or dirty filters to be replaced. There are indoor air quality testing kits you can buy to test for specific contaminants like radon or carbon dioxide (CO2). If this proves to be insufficient, call in a professional to perform more extensive indoor air quality testing.